Larry Sanders has made 13 of 16 shots in two games.

Forward has been active, productive in first two games

St. Francis - Larry Sanders and the Milwaukee Bucks' reinvigorated frontcourt will face a major challenge Wednesday night.

One of the most imposing interior tandems in the league will provide the test as 7-foot-1, 265-pound center Marc Gasol and 6-9, 255-pound forward Zach Randolph lead the Memphis Grizzlies into the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Sanders is off to a great start and so are the Bucks, who defeated Boston and Cleveland in their first two games.

But Memphis (2-1) has reached the Western Conference playoffs each of the last two seasons under coach Lionel Hollins.

"They have very good offensive bigs and big bodies down there," Sanders said after practice Tuesday. "They'll be banging a lot.

"We'll be ready for them and we just have to pick up our defense that much more."

Gasol has scored 20 or more points in all three Memphis games and Randolph is leading the league in rebounding at 16 per contest. Randolph grabbed 18 rebounds in the Grizzlies' home-opening victory over Utah on Monday.

Both players sat out a preseason game in La Crosse as the Grizzlies beat the Bucks, 97-94, on Oct. 18.

"The goal will be to not let them get as many touches," Sanders said. "Marc Gasol is such a good passer down there. Not only is he a threat to score but he also sees the floor very well from the low-post area."

The Grizzlies also might want to take notice of Sanders, who has averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the first two games.

The 6-11 Sanders was such a factor in Milwaukee's home opener Saturday that the crowd saluted him with chants of "Lar-ry, Lar-ry" as he left the floor after fouling out late in the game.

Bucks guard Monta Ellis said he sees a definite change in Sanders' play since last season.

"He has more control and he's better off the move," Ellis said. "It's just him being more settled and making the right decision. He's been doing a great job."

Veteran Samuel Dalembert started at center against Cleveland on Saturday but played just 10 minutes. Sanders was 8 of 9 from the field on the way to 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocks while playing 30 minutes.

The previous night in Boston the third-year pro produced 10 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes.

"It was never a case if Larry could have a good game," coach Scott Skiles said. "It was always could he follow it up and have another good game and another good game.

"He's one of those guys that really about all he has to have is energy and focus in a game and he'll get something done. He'll block a shot; he'll rebound the ball and be around the basket. He'll get a dunk.

"Small guys you can't really say that about. They need more than that."

Skiles said Sanders is putting himself in better positions for the guards to find him and is finishing the plays (13-of-16 shooting).

One play that just missed in the fourth quarter Saturday was a bullet pass from Ellis to a wide-open Sanders under the basket. It was a sure dunk if Sanders had caught the pass, but it showed he was in the right place.

"It's exciting because they're looking for me," Sanders said. "I have responsibility to get my hands up faster and be ready for those passes."

And he has pounded down some one-handed dunks, plays that excite the crowd and fire up his teammates. He also has displayed a better touch around the basket.

"I'm not rushing those shots," Sanders said. "I'm knowing which offensive rebounds to convert into shots rather than passing it out and running a set.

"Just going up with poise and balance and being able to finish those shots; it's something I've been working on this summer."

Sanders also has to work on reducing his fouls. He's a shot blocker so he will pick up some fouls that way, but he has great timing when he goes to reject a shot.

"He still has a tendency to chop down instead of just being straight-up," Skiles said. "He got two from chopping down the other night (Saturday). He's much better at it.

"We could have used him in the last couple possessions of the game and we didn't have him because he fouled out. The ones you have to avoid are the ones that are your own fault."

Sanders heard the cheers and chants of his name at the end of the Cleveland game and responded by lifting his arms to the crowd.

"It does (feel good)," Sanders said. "To get the crowd behind us is going to fuel us. They gave us a lot of energy.

"That's something you hear about coming to Milwaukee. I didn't really see it too much my first two years but it's time to bring that back."